Photos: Long Branch's Memorial Day ceremonies stretch from City Hall to the ocean

LONG BRANCH – The barbeques and retail sales are fun, but Memorial Day is about remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

On Monday, as it does every year, Long Branch did its best to remind people of that in four separate remembrance ceremonies throughout the city.

The day started at Fireman’s Field, where the city’s firefighters paid respects to their fallen comrades as well as the military men and women who served the city.

From there, Mayor Adam Schneider and the Borough Council made their way to the North End Beach where Schneider tossed a wreath into the Atlantic Ocean to remember those city residents who died at sea serving their country.

The procession then moved to Jerry Morgan Jr. Park on Long Branch Avenue where families of city residents who were lost in the Vietnam War among other conflicts.

The ceremonies concluded at City Hall, where there was a table setting as a tribute to the soldiers who will never return home, the city’s essay contestant winners were honored and Schneider told the story of one late soldier, Jack McNeice, who defined the character and courage of U.S. servicemen during World War II as part of the “Filthy Thirteen.”

But during the ceremony at Jerry Morgan Park, Schneider looked at the young age of the Private First Class the park was named after, who died at age 21 after being ambushed by the enemy in the Ho Bo Woods section of Vietnam, as well as the young ages of other young men whose names are on plaques in the park.

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“One theme of all wars is that we send our children to fight them,” Schneider said. “So today, Memorial Day – which was known as Declaration Day, a day that marked the end of the Civil War – let’s think about that. Instead of acknowledging war, let’s think about peace. And maybe we can accept war as a failure of the politics and the policies of world leaders who send young people off to die.”

“I’ve yet to meet the soldier who chooses to go to war,” Grant said. “And as time passes, the pain lessens. But we must still remember.”

Vietnam veteran Jim Palumbo said these were some of the reasons that Memorial Day is an emotional day for most veterans.

“It’s about the past and honoring our fallen comrades,” said Palumbo, of Oceanport. “It think there was a lull for a while in people recognizing the sacrifices of our military men and women. But with so many young people now overseas again – guys who weren’t drafted to be there, but enlisted – I think people are starting to understand these sacrifices a little better. At least I hope so.”

George Kiss, the commandant of the Marine Corps League’s Jersey Shore Leathernecks Detachment 1313, said that while there is always more room for patriotism, Long Branch does better than most.

“America pulls together in times of need to show their patriotism and loyalty to the flag,” said Kiss, who held the American Flag as part of the color guard. “For me, Long Branch’s four ceremonies are a tremendous thing to be a part of. That’s why our detachment is par of it every year, and why we’ll be coming back.”